The tension intensified by the direct confrontation between Tanba and Raichi. Monster hitter, Todoroki Raichi. The battery can't call a half assed pitch with him on the plate. He can blast the pitch outside the park with his swing, that's why everyone watching the match is getting the cold sweats. When Raichi arrived next to Miyuki, he exclaimed.
'Hey, he aren't bad. Guess I need to face him'
'What?'
The game resume. Miyuki give a sign.
'!!'
We need to let him think that this pitch is down in the middle. If he swing and miss we can eliminate potential threat.
*nodded*
When Tanba throw his pitch, Raichi reacted slightly slower but the impact is scary. Raichi manage to fouled it.
'Woah, what was that?! The ball came like a curve!'
Seeing his curve ball got hit, Tanba was crestfallen. He throw it for the first time against him and in this tournament but Raichi manage to react towards it.
'Raichi you're seeing it'
'Tanba! let him hit. We got your back'
Tanba throw again. Just now Miyuki's sign was an inside pitch. The pitch was perfectly thrown but suddenly a bat come into Miyuki's view hitting the ball. The hit was weaker compared to Raichi's other at bat but even then the ball heading for the fence was the prove of his prowess. Seido also show sign of resigning and dejection not until a silhouette run past the center.
'huh?'
Jun who positioned there was taken aback when a gust of wind passed by. The yakushi dugout who smiling triumphantly faltered when the umpire announcement echoed throughout the field.
'THREE OUT, CHANGE!'
'Huh? what happened?'
'Why the umpire..'
'Look! there's someone who catch the ball!'
'Wow!'
When the audience just got excited, seido's bench was filled with panic and noises. The player on the field also start to huddle where the player that catch the ball is placed. Medic staff with equipment also got called on the field. Amidst this confusion, Seido was shock beyond help. Before the commotion, Jun who feel the gust of wind earlier looked back and saw Mio jump to steal the ball midair before it got out. He went to Mio and help him get up. But then, Jun stare blankly towards Mio. He was bleeding. Jun panic and called their captain and send sign towards their dugout.
***
MIO'S POV:
Seeing Raichi step up when he was at his second at bat, Mio felt that the ball was bound to be out of park. So when he came into conclusion, he run instinctively towards the end of field. His teammates seem given up seeing the ball was hard to catch so he sprint hard. Mio calculated the distance between him and the wall, and it's impossible to fell. Mio jump his best and grab the wall with his right hand meanwhile his left hand take ball midair, just when Mio want to sighs of relief his right hand slipped and his forehead knocked on the wall. His right also got scratches before he eventually fell on the grass.
'Shit, I'm unlucky today '
Seeing the blood dripping, he curse under his breath. Mio never expect to be in this kind of situation.
***
Seeing the medic preparing the stretcher, the audience finally got a gust of the situation. Someone got hurt.
'Did that kid number 1 got hurt?!'
'Is it serious?'
When the players get near Mio, they can see Mio's face covered in blood.
'!!'
'We need to go to the hospital'
The medic are busy stopping the bleeding at the same time also busy to tell them about the injury
'He need to stitch his injury, it's pretty bad and he'll potentially lose too much blood if the treatment is delayed'
'Then I will let Fujikawa in your care'
The coach gave the final decision but there's someone who didn't agreed.
'No, coach I can play! We just need to use iodine and wrap my injury'
'Kid your bleeding having no sign of stopping. Besides it's not bad to be cautious. We're doing a full check up, in case there's after effect on your brain'
The doctor gave his reasoning. Mio want to retort but he feel a light tap on his shoulder. The captain look into Mio's eyes.
'Fujikawa I know that you're frustrated but just don't disregard your health. We will win this, just trust your senpai.Okay?'
Mio tear up but look down after. He can feel the ball inside his glove.
'..okay'
Mio handed the ball with his blood to Tanba
'You can face them senpai. I will wait a good news back home'
Mio stand up but he staggered while searching for his footing, Miyuki and Kuramochi support him.
'You idiot, just rest and taste a sweet short holiday. Just crush our opponent when you're healthy '
The medic offer the stretcher but Mio decline, he prefer to be support so he let Miyuki and Kuramochi hold him. Seeing Mio limping figure exiting the stadium, Yuki and the rest clenched their fist.